Method of making envelopes



Feb. 3, 1925. 1,525,356

F. E. ARROUQUIER METHOD OF MAKING ENVELOPES Filed Oct. 11. 192;

ll atented Feb. 3, 1925.

'H'ED STATES FREDERICK E. ARROUQUIER, 0F SHREWSBUBY,

HALF T0 REBLI'N MANUFACTURING GQMPANY,

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- .ZNCL. A CORPORATION OF NEW METHOD orMAKING nnvnrorns.

Application filed October 11, 1922. Serial No. 593,889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FREDERICK E. AnnoU Uinn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Shrewsbury, in the county of lVorcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements iniifethods of Making Envelopes, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a novel method of making open-end envelopesfrom a web or continuous tube of paper or the like, and to certainpeculiar process steps which are applicable in the art of makingopen-end or tubular envelopes, with or without window-openings therein;the prime object being to provide a method whereby envelopes of thecharacter specified can be rapidly, conveniently and economicallymanufactured. Another object is to provide an efficient method forforming the end-opening and projecting end-folding-flaps therefor, froma continuous advancing tube of paper.

For attaining these objects, and other advantageous results, myinvention consists in the method and several-method steps, as more fullyeXpl-ained'in the following description, the particular subject matterclaimed being hereinafter definitely specified in the summary.

In the accompanying drawim Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates thenature of my improved method, and the sequential occurrence of theseveral steps as employed in this method of producing an envelope orenvelope-blank.

Fig. 2 is a side View, drawn on larger scale, representing a portion ofthe longitudinally closed tube, in transposed plane relation, andshowing the nature of the cutout.

Fig. 8 represents the discharged wastesection unfolded; and

Fig. 4C shows a form of cut-out for producing a window-opening in thetubular blank.

An important feature of my invention in producing envelopes of the classspecified from and at the end of a continuously advanced tube, consistsin the manner of disposing and severing said tube, at a distance fromits extremity equal to the length required for the size of envelope inany instance to be made, the severance out being effected in such mannerthat the desired forms ofthe end-openings and ample backw'ardly andforwardly projecting adj'oined I folding flaps are simultaneouslyattained at a single action, and by removal of a unitary waste section;a sufficient portion of the fabric connecting the oppositely adjacentedges of the flaps being temporarily left uncut for assisting theforward movement, of the partially formed envelope. 7

By my method envelopes of the class specified may be manufactured from acontinuously, or intermittently, advanced tube of paper or the like,delivered from the original roll, or from asupply wherein the web hasbeen preparatively folded longitudinally. If from the web, the firststep is tofold the web longitudinally into the form of a closed fiattube. preferably with a broad fold, 2, at one edge of the web and anarrow overfold, 3, at its other edge; the narrow fold being laid uponthe margin of the broad fold and there firmly secured by suitableadhesive substance introduced at G adjacent the point where the oppositefolds come together as the folded web is advanced; the lapped portionsbeing then firmly compressed by a suitable presser device or roll l,thereby producing a continuous longitudinally closed tube 5, having astraight edge and a flat plane surface the breadth of which is made tobe the same as the required width of the envelopes, in any particularinstance to be made therefrom, ir-

respective of the length of the envelope,

which may be more or less in any instance, as desired.

As primarily formed the tube has its flat upper and lower portionsdisposed together in a plane (preferably horizontal) which coincideswith the normal plane of the finished envelope. As the tube is advancedsuch plane is supported at a desired position, 6, then as it movesforward from said position itsflat sides are separated, preferably loyinternally forcing them outward and causing its edges, 7, to convergeinward towards each other, so that a given portion of the tube, 5,assumes a 'flatwise position approximately perpendicular to the normalor primarily occupied plane, thus transposing the fiat-wise relation ofthe tube as from a horizontal to a vertical plane without rotating thetube. V

This given portion 5* ofthe advancing tube is sustained in its transosed or vertical plane relation, by suite-b e feed-rolls or guides, at 8and 9, to keep the plies of the intervening portion of the tube closetogether while receiving the action of cutting devices 1t) thereon. Atthis stage flap defining recess 12 for the semi-division of the tube, atthe predetermined length for the blank, isformed by cutting out anddiscardg or removing a unitary waste section 13 at one edge of the tubewhile supported in its flatwise transposed relation, said removed wastesection including an area approximately equal to or exceeding thecombined area of the required flaps; its length at the 'fold edge beingsomewhat greater than the length required for the two adjoined flaps,and its width extending laterally from the folded edge partially acrossthe tube, but leaving a portion 14, more or less, of the width of thetube uncut to afford a continued attachment between adjacent blanks. Thecontour of the folded cutout scrap ,reversely coincides with one half ofthe outline shape of the united and un-re moved portion or areaproviding the respective end flaps 15 and 16 for the tubularblanks 25.The temporarily transposed plane relation of the tube is best maintainedin such manner as will not produce any permanent crease in the paper,which would be liable to appear in the face of the finished envelope.The tubular blanks 25 may be propelled forward by suitable feed rolls 17and 18.

hen it is desired to provide tubular envelopes with window openingstherein, the method includes the additional step which consists incutting out at a predetermined distance from the above describedflap-defining cut, and while the tube is in its transformed or verticalflatwise relation, a second section 20 extending inward from the foldededge of the tube; and of an arched shape or contour coinciding with onehalf of the desired shape of the window opening; which may be disposedeither longitudinal or crosswise of the tube. The cuts are preferablyeffected by rotary shear devices operating while the tube is travelingforward; or other suitable means may be employed.

The cutting out of the waste section and window opening (either or both)can bev effected while the tube is continuously advancing, by suitablemeans; or in other instances, the advancement of the tube may beintermittent and the cut-out effected, any approved means, during thedwell.

It will be observed that by my method of cutting, the end-openings canbe suitably formed, whether of similar or dis-similar shape and size,for the top and bottom ends ofthe envelope; ample sized fold-over flaps15 and 16 provided for, in equal or unequal dimensions as in anyinstance desired, and the waste scrap 13 removed by a single-cut actionof the nature described. Also, the

produced blanks pass forward in regular and uniform successive order,all with their same end foremost and the same side up. After theflap-defining cut hasibeen effected the fiatwise relation, 5 of the tubeis restored, as at 21, to its normal or hori zontal plane; thus bringingthe end flaps and openings into coincidence with the face plane of theenvelope blank and spreading the flaps in their full lateraldevelopment; as at 2:2, but attached to each other in sequence by theportion, 14, of uncut fabric; while a transverse end opening or mouth isattained completely across the tubular blank; the intervening space,longitudinally, being equal to or slightly greater than the combinedprojection of the two adjoined flaps. The respective tubular blanksjoined in train are advanced for any desired predetermined distance,more or less, which may be sufficient to permit the operation ofprinting thereon when desired. The blank being suitably supported, printis applied upon the surface thereof, as it is carried forward past agiven position as 27, or any suitable position in the progress.

At a predetermined position the attachment 14 between the blanks 25 issevered by cutting along their contour or adjacent outlines, as at- 23,after which the blanks proceed individually to a predetermined p0 sitionat which their direct advancement is arrested and their movement changedto a transverse direction, the blanks being then carried or propelledlaterally at} suitable spaced intervals for the final folding of theflaps.

The blank is then creased transversely across its ends on the lines fwhere the respective flaps are to fold. Adhesive substance is thenapplied to the respective flaps, by suitable gunnners 28; the bottomflap 16 is folded over and pressed upon the body portion, and thesealing-flap 15 is folded over without allowing its gum to adhere to thebody, thus completing the envelope, indicated at 25*.

By the herein described method tubular or open-end envelopes may beeconomically and rapidly made, by a continuous process,

from a. web of paper or the like, delivered from a supply roll in itsfull Width of the web, or a web once folded longitudinally. The methodis peculiarly adapted for making such envelopes from very thin paper, orof the material known as glassine paper since the fabric being worked intubular form and in the manner specified, is not liable to assumewrinkles or irregular edge portion, while undergoing complete formation.

vVhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the art of making open-end envelopes from a web of paper or thelike; the

1,52 age-5e method which consists in creasing and folding the deliveredweb longitudinally and adhesively uniting the lapped edges thereof toform a continuous fiat closed tube, advancing said tube while a portionthereof is guided and supported fiatwise in a given plane, causing aportion of the advancing tube to assume a plane approximatelyperpendicular to said given plane, supporting the portion of tube at theassumed plane with its plies closely adjacent, cutting therefrom aflap-defining section extending from one edge of the tube towards itsother edge, releasing the cut-out scrap, then spreading the tubelaterally to a flat-wise plane substantially coinciding with thepreceding plane, thereby bringing flaps and the face of the body portioninto a common given plane, then separating the tubular blank from thetube, creasing its ends at the flap-fold position, and suitably gummingand folding down the flaps.

2. The method of-making open-end envelopes from a continuous web ofpaper or the like; which consists in creasing and folding the weblongitudinally with a. bro-ad and a narrow fold, adhesively attachingthe narrow fold upon the margin of the broad fold to form a closed flattube, its plies disposed flatwise adjacent on a predetermined primaryplane, then transposing the fiatwise relation of the tube to a planeapproximately perpendicular to said primary plane, maintaining a portionof the advancing tube in such transposedflatwise relation, cutting outand releasing from said transposed portion of the tube a unitaryflap-defining waste-section extending laterally from one edge partiallyacross the tube towards its other edge, then restoring the flatwiserelation of the tube to coincide with the primary plane, therebydeveloping an attached tubular blank with extending connected end-flaps,then detaching the individual blank on the desired contour for theflaps, transversely creasing the ends of the blank, and then gumming andfolding down the flaps.

3. In the art of making tubular or openend envelopes, the process stepswhich consist in temporarily changing the fiatwiseform of the closedtube from its original plane to a plane approximately at right angles tothe original plane by gradually forcing apart the fiat sides of the tubeand causing the opposite folded edges to approach each other, withoutrotating the tube, cutting out and discharging a unitary section thesemi-contour of the end-openings and flaps for the blank, by atransverse incision while the tube is in such changed fiatwise relation,then restoring the flatwisefold plane of the blank and end of the tubeto the original plane relation before detaching the blank from the tube.

4. The method of making open-end tubular envelopes from a continuous webof paper or the like; which consists in primarily producing alongitudinally extended tube, temporarily presenting a portion of saidtube on a plane perpendicular to the normal final plane of the envelopeblank, cutting and releasing therefrom at one edge of said tube a wastesection on the semioutline of the fold-over flaps, leaving an uncutportion at the other edge of the portion of the tube, then causing thetube to assume a fiatwise relation coinciding to the normal plane of theenvelope and subsequently severing the attachment between the adjacentconnected flaps, and advancing the blanks individually in uniform serialorder to apredetermined position and thence carried laterally to receivethe'final folding operation upon their flaps.

5. In the art of making envelopes from a continuous tube of paper or thelike, the method of producing individual blanks which consists informing a flat tube of the predetermined width of the required envelope,the sides of the tube closely adjacent on a plane, supporting the tubeflatwise at two separate positions to keep the plies of the interveningportion of the tube in relatively close alinement, cutting through andreleasing from one edge of said closely alined portion a foldedwaste-section eX- tending partially across the tube and of a lengthequaling the combined length of the required fold-over flaps, advancingthe tube and transposing the flatwise relation of the partially formedblank and end of the tube to a plane approximately perperdicular to theplane of said intervening portion, thus presenting the blank with theunited endfiaps and cut-out space spread flatwise across its plane, andsubsequently detaching the blank from the tube by severing the unitingsingle ply on the required outline for the end of the flaps.

6. In the art of making envelopes from a continuous tube of paper or thelike; the lnethod steps which consist in causing a portion of the tubeto assume an approximately flatwise position perpendicular to the normal flatwise plane of the tube, removing at one edge of saidperpendicular portion, a folded section of material corresponding to onehalf the required shape for a windowopening, then restoring the flatwiserelation of the tube to its normal fiatwise plane.

7 In the. art of making open-end envelopes, the method of forming awindow opening in a continuous advancing tube or tubular blank, whichconsists in temporarily transposing the flatwise plane of the tube orblank to form a longitudinal fold in the face thereof, on a planeapproximately at right angles to the normal plane, without creating apermanent crease therein, then cutting out a suitable shapedsemi-section along the edge of said longitudinal told, then restoringthe flatwise relation of the tube or blank to its normal plane, therebydeveloping the opening in full form Within the face area of the blank.

8, In the art of making envelopes from a continuous formed tube, themethod which consists in preparing a closed flat tube the Width of therequired envelope and delivering aid tube in its normal flatwise plane,changing the tiativise relation of an intermedial portion of the tube,Without rotation thereof, to bring the sides of the tube closelyadjacent to each other on a plane at right angles to said normal plane,then transversely cutting from one edge thereof a folded Waste scrapincluding about one half the Width of the tubeand leaving an endwiseconnected portion of a dimension equal to the area and combined leng' thof the united flaps, also at approxin'iatcly the same time cutting fromthe other edge of said tube a Waste scrap of suitable dimension for aivin doW opening, then restoring the fiatwise relation of the tube tothe normal plane with the cut out spaces and flat-forming areacoincident With said'plane, then'completely detaching the blank bycutting the outline oi. the adjoined flaps, and subsequently gumming andfolding down the flaps, substantially as set forth.

9. In the art of making envelopes from a continuously advancinglongitudinally closed tube of paper or the like, the method whichconsists in transposin'g and presenting a predetermined portion of thetube on a plane approximately perpendicular to the normal plane of theenvelope, cutting out and discharging therefrom a unitary Waste sectionadapted to partially detach a blank and form end-openings, but leavingcon nected a portion representing the combined area of the projectingflaps for said blank, then restoring the flatwise form thereof to thenormal plane relation, supporting the partially detached advancing blankto permit printing thereon, applying print upon the surface of theadvancing blank, then completely detaching the blank, and subsequentlycreasing, gumming and folding the flaps to complete envelope form.

FREDERICK E. ARROUQUIER,

